U.S. stocks experienced a slight decline in subdued holiday trading, primarily due to year-end profit-taking and pressure on tech and gold shares. The Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 all closed lower. This pullback followed a strong recent performance, with major averages still recording solid gains for the Christmas week. Positive U.S. housing data, showing a significant jump in pending home sales, offered some support, while mixed global market performances, including gains in South Korea and slight upticks in China, provided a varied backdrop.